Can I close oldest credit card without affecting credit score?

I'm moved to the US from Canada in 2003 and it was difficult for me to get my credit started in the US since your credit history does not follow you into the US. Since I banked at Sovereign, that was the first place I applied for a credit card and after discussion with the bank manager, they issued a credit card to me in 2004. Since that time, I've been churning on a relatively conservative basis in order to earn points to travel back & forth to Canada. I currently have five cards open, but none of the other cards has more than 18 months history. I've read that you should always keep the credit card with the oldest history open. I don't use my Sovereign credit card at all and I don't bank there any longer. This week I received notice that Sovereign is rebranding their credit cards to Sphere and that I will need to activate this new card when it is sent out. If I don't, my existing card will stop working in 90 days. Will this Sphere card be considered a "new" credit card on my credit history, or will it show as an existing card almost 8 years old?

Why wouldn't you be keeping the account open? If there's no fee you might as well.

But closing an account doesn't take it off your credit report. It stays on until it ages off. Which means it will continue to be calculated as part of the average age of your accounts for several years.

Tell the customer service representative that you wish to close your credit card. Ask them if there is a confirmation number that you can reference when referring back to this. They can explain you more briefly.

But closing an account doesn't take it off your credit report. It stays on until it ages off. Which means it will continue to be calculated as part of the average age of your accounts for several years.

"This week I received notice that Sovereign is rebranding their credit cards to Sphere and that I will need to activate this new card when it is sent out....Will this Sphere card be considered a "new" credit card on my credit history, or will it show as an existing card almost 8 years old? "

Based on my experience, it will not show as new. But as always, YMMV.
Several years ago, my then 20+ year old account was rebranded and changed from a MC to a Visa. It still shows up on my credit report as the oldest account I have and with original opening date as a MC. It dates from late 1970s, is a no fee, and so I occasionally dust it off and use it to maintain it as my oldest account.

“Our intention was never to launch a website, our intention was to build a global brand for frequent flyers.”

content + community + technology + social

InsideFlyer was created by travelers, for travelers. Here you can discover and share your experiences related to travel and frequent flyer programs with business travelers, leisure travelers, infrequent flyers and road warriors alike.

InsideFlyer is a privately funded venture based in Colorado Springs, CO (affectionally—the House of Miles). We’re a small diverse group of experienced frequent flyer experts, travel community builders, technologists, and friends of the flyer who want to help you learn to be an expert traveler. We believe that learning about frequent flyer miles should be as fun as travel itself.